ABSTRACT Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important component influencing soil fertility, ecosystem functioning, and climate change mitigation. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on SOC under long‐term fertilization from 2005 to the first quarter of 2025. A total of 3171 peer‐reviewed articles indexed in Scopus were analyzed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to evaluate publication trends, collaboration networks, funding patterns, and thematic evolution. The annual growth rate of publications was 5.03%, with China, the United States, and India emerging as the leading contributors. Institutional and co‐authorship analyses revealed strong international collaboration, although research output was geographically concentrated. Keyword co‐occurrence and clustering analyses identified dominant themes including “soil organic carbon,” “carbon sequestration,” and “long‐term fertilization,” with increasing attention to microbial processes, carbon fractions, and climate‐smart management strategies in recent years. The mapped literature indicates a consistent research emphasis on integrated nutrient management practices, particularly combined organic and inorganic fertilization, in relation to SOC enhancement and stabilization. Emerging research frontiers include microbial necromass, isotopic tracing, metagenomics, and modeling approaches for carbon‐use efficiency. Despite substantial growth in the field, knowledge gaps remain regarding microbial‐mediated carbon dynamics and long‐term system resilience. This bibliometric synthesis provides a structured overview of global research trajectories and identifies priority directions for advancing sustainable soil management.
Lalitha et al. (Fri,) studied this question.